Time passed slowly. Several days had gone by since Grimmjow and the others attacked the Living World, and no major incidents had occurred during that time. Each day, aside from spending some time training, Toshiro spent his time patrolling Karakura Town or occasionally reporting the situation in the Living World to Soul Society.
As for the others, they were all diligently training, as the time for the final battle with Aizen was not too far off.
Ichigo was training at the Vizard hideout to master the Hollow inside him and hadn't come home.
Renji was training his Bankai with Kisuke's help. Chad had recently sought out Urahara to train him as well.
Uryu was honing his Quincy abilities under his father. Even Rangiku, under Toshiro's urging, had become much more diligent.
In short, everyone was working hard in their own way, hoping not to be a burden in the coming decisive battle.
Karakura Town, on the embankment of a river.
Ichigo's younger sister, Karin, was walking along carrying a mesh bag containing a soccer ball.
"Ichi-nii definitely didn't go to the countryside with a friend. He must be somewhere doing something dangerous."
Karin recalled witnessing Ichigo become a Shinigami and knew his sudden disappearance couldn't be simply helping a friend in the countryside like Toshiro had said.
"Ichi-nii, are you alright?"
The more Karin thought about Ichigo, the more worried and irritated she became.
"Dammit!!"
In her agitation, Karin suddenly kicked the mesh bag holding the soccer ball.
Thud—!
The ball flew out of the bag and tumbled down onto the road in the distance.
"Ah!"
Karin cried out in surprise and ran after it. Just as she was about to reach the road, a small figure suddenly appeared and stepped on the rolling ball.
Seeing that somewhat familiar figure, Karin felt an inexplicable flutter in her heart and unconsciously stopped at the curb. Then, the figure deftly flicked the ball up with his right foot, catching it in his hand.
"Is this yours?"
The figure turned and asked.
"Mm."
Karin nodded instinctively.
"You... you're that Hitsugaya Toshiro?"
When the figure turned, Karin recognized who this familiar figure was. Silver hair, blue-green eyes, a small build, appearing about her age… it was indeed Toshiro, who had visited a few days ago claiming to be Ichigo's friend.
"Don't suddenly run into the road. It's dangerous. Be more careful next time."
Toshiro advised calmly. Although he also recognized Karin, Toshiro remained indifferent, showing no intention of starting a conversation.
He knew that while many fans in his previous life liked the pairing of Karin and Toshiro, disliking Momo as Aizen's fanatic, hoping they would end up together, the interactions between Toshiro and Karin were actually anime-original.
In the original manga, they had little to no interaction. Now, even though Toshiro had encountered Karin again, he had no intention of developing anything with her.
"Hey, catch."
Toshiro kicked the ball towards Karin.
"Oh!"
Karin quickly reached out and caught it. But when she looked up again, Toshiro had vanished.
"Huh? Where'd he go? I wanted to ask him more about Ichi-nii. Why did he disappear like that?"
Karin looked disappointed. For some reason, seeing Toshiro suddenly vanish made her feel empty. Maybe it was because she hadn't gotten to ask about Ichigo, or maybe because she hadn't gotten to talk to Toshiro properly.
After Toshiro disappeared, Karin had to leave as well. She had arranged to play soccer with friends, and if she didn't go soon, she would be late.
Logically, since Toshiro had encountered Karin, who is Isshin's daughter and Ichigo's sister, chatting a bit wouldn't have been a big deal. He shouldn't have left so abruptly. The reason Toshiro did so was specific.
A few days ago, after Isshin had said to him, "I thought you were a brother, but you want to get with my daughter," Toshiro had sworn up and down that he would never, ever make a move on his precious daughters.
Now, encountering Karin again, Toshiro felt a bit guilty. Because he noticed that Karin seemed to have an inexplicable fondness for him. This wasn't Toshiro being narcissistic, thinking all women would fall for him.
He had genuinely noticed something off in the way Karin looked at him. Toshiro wasn't like the dense protagonists in harem anime who can't understand a woman's feelings.
At a soccer practice field in Karakura Town, several middle school students were playing soccer. Karin and her friends stood outside the field, looking displeased.
"Those guys are still there."
"They look like middle schoolers."
Karin's friends looked at the middle schoolers playing, angry but afraid to speak. It was supposed to be Karin and her group's turn to use the field, but the middle schoolers were still occupying it. Karin's friends were elementary schoolers, a bit too intimidated to argue.
Seeing this wouldn't work, one of them gathered courage and shouted, "Excuse me, but it's our time to use the field now!"
"Huh? What do you want?"
The middle schoolers said impatiently.
"Um, we reserved this field. Could you possibly..."
"Hah? What are you brats saying? Can't you see we're practicing?"
Before Karin's friend could finish, the middle schoolers interrupted arrogantly.
"Uh... how can you do that?"
One of Karin's friends said, looking ready to cry.
"Hey, kids, if you want to play, go to the empty lot over there. I'll graciously allow you to use it, so don't bother us!"
One of them said disdainfully.
"Don't be ridiculous! It's our turn now!! Show some respect for the rules!!!"
Karin finally exploded.
"Seriously, such a nuisance. You're just elementary schoolers, you don't need to use a proper field. It's because you brats reserve it that our usage time gets cut."
The leader of the middle schoolers accused shamelessly.
"Kurosaki..."
Seeing the harsh scolding, Karin's friends hid behind her in fear.
"Hey! So what if we're elementary schoolers? We're practicing seriously too!! You guys follow the rules!!!"
Karin, the big sister, stood her ground and shouted back.
"What?"
"So what?"
"Just use the empty lot, you brats! You don't need to practice seriously!"
"Hmph! We are practicing very seriously! More seriously than you!"
The argument between Karin and the middle schoolers dragged on until nearly sunset without a conclusion.
"Your skills are lousy, don't bother reserving a field!"
"That's you! Are you really better than us?"
"If so, let's settle this with a match!"
"A match?"
"Yeah. We'll have a five-on-five soccer match against you. Since you claim you're not just playing around, show us your strength!"
Perhaps unable to out-argue Karin, the middle schoolers proposed settling it with a match.
"So? Do you dare accept?"